Resources for Grieving

CV

Professional Profile

Christy Sorensen Albright has a PhD in Organization, Information and Learning Sciences (OILS) from the University of  New Mexico, and a Master in Theological Studies and a Master of Arts from Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary.   A lifelong learner, Christy has worked as a professional musician, worship leader, educator, non-profit manager, trainer, workshop designer and facilitator (in person and online), curriculum writer, teacher, and public school administrator. Christy is passionate about discovering new ways to learn and think about ideas. Her current intellectual thinkstorm includes finding practices to use  hope, efficacy, resiliency, and optimism as navigation tools for grieving experiences.   She currently serves as a Coordinator for the Board Services Office at Albuquerque Public Schools in Albuquerque, New Mexico.  In this capacity, Christy works with elected officials, school district leaders, and the public to facilitate special events, find answers to constituent requests, and plan and implement community meetings. 

Education

Degrees

  • PhD in Organization, Information, and Learning Sciences, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, 2022.
  • Master of Theological Studies in Worship, Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary (Northwestern University), Evanston, IL, 1998.
  • Master of Arts in Christian Education, Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary (Northwestern University), Evanston, IL 1999.
  • Bachelor of Music in Sacred Music, Southwestern University, Georgetown, TX, 1989 (principal instrument was voice, with secondary instrument of piano)

Certifications

  • Non-Profit Management, The Robert O. Anderson School and Graduate School of Management, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, 2000.
  • Christian Education, Perkins School of Theology (Southern Methodist University), Dallas, TX, and The United Methodist Church, Nashville, TN, 1993.

Presentations

Invited Talks/Workshops

Albright, C. & Sorensen-Unruh, C. (11/13/2025). Teaching, Learning, and the Lessons of Grief. Teaching in Higher Ed Podcast with Bonni Stachowiak.

Albright, C. & Sorensen-Unruh, C. (7/22/2025). Skiling Our Grieving: Tools for the Journey. SCIENCE Collaborative Conference.

Albright, C. & Sorensen-Unruh, C. (6/30/2023 – 8/4/2023). MYFest23 Track Navigating Grief and Uncertainty using Positive Psychology and Psychological Capital.

Albright, C. (2023, May 22). Using Hope, Efficacy, Resiliency, and Optimism to Navigate Grief. Saranam Staff Retreat.

Albright, C. & Sorensen-Unruh, C. (2022, July 25). Rest and rejuvenation for Learners of All Ages [Online Workshop]. Midyear Festival (MYFest22).

Albright, C. & Sorensen-Unruh, C. (2022, June 27). Storying our grief through Hope, Efficacy, Resilience, and Optimism [Online Workshop]. Midyear Festival (MYFest22).

Publications/Books

Master’s Thesis, “Sabbath as Re-Creation: Discovering Sabbath as a Way of Life”

Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, Evanston, Illinois, 1998

Written in a workbook style, my thesis combined research on the Sabbath in Biblical and historical practice and offered unique and practical ways for the readers to reflect on and practice the Sabbath. The work was referenced in the Fall 2001 WellSprings: A Journal for United Methodist Clergy Women (9:2) published by the Section of Elders and Local Pastors, Division of Ordained Ministry, General Board of Higher Education and Ministry of the United Methodist Church, Nashville, TN.

Independent Contractor at United Methodist Publishing House                      

2001 and 2003

I co-wrote six months of internationally used children’s curriculum and lesson plans, published through Cokesbury Publishing Company. Each lesson plan included stories, artistic experiences, teacher training resources, game ideas, snack ideas, and take-home pages for families to learn together.

Self-Published, Wisdom Risks                  

2016

I published a short story about wisdom through Blurb, a self-publishing company.  In addition to researching and writing the story, I took the cover photo.  ISBN: 9781364715403

Dissertation, “I Wish You Were Here: An Autoethnographic Study on the Story of Grief and the Role of Psychological Capital”               

University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, 2022

This research explored what our grief stories tell us about our PsyCap, what we can learn about PsyCap and our experience of the stages of grief, and how the malleability of PsyCap is an interplay of its four component resource parts (hope, efficacy, resiliency, and optimism). It has been downloaded more than 430 times since its publication in 2022. https://digitalrepository.unm.edu/oils_etds/57

Relevant Teaching Experience 

Workshop Leader

2022-present

  • Researched, designed, and implemented in person and online workshops on navigating grief with the tools of psychological capital, and on rest and rejuvenation. 
  • Utilized a learning/teaching philosophy of creating learning experiences that are integrative, active, intentionally hospitable, and culturally inclusive. 

Instructor, Teaching Assistant                                                   

UNM 2016-2018

  • Spring 2017 and Spring 2018

Taught Survey of Human Resource Development and Instructional Technology (OILS 440) as an online undergraduate class

  • Fall 2016 and Fall 2017

Taught Principles of Adult Learning (OILS 446) as an online undergraduate class

Teaching responsibilities as the Instructor of Record included: 

  • Designing the syllabus
  • Designing lesson plans, including projects and synthesis checks (quizzes)
  • Uploading online class information to UNM LEARN
  • Grading homework assignments, project and synthesis checks, and maintaining the gradebook in UNM LEARN
  • Holding weekly office hours through Zoom
  • Assisting students with problems, including tutoring
  • Facilitating the online discussions in Zoom, including lecturing and class presentations
  • Participation in regular TA meetings

Spring 2016

Assisted Victor Law in facilitating two online classes (OILS 440 HRD and IT and OILS 543 Instructional Design.)  Duties included: helping students as needed both during the synchronous class and outside the class time, taking attendance, answering emails, grading papers, and teaching two class sessions

Christian Education Director at Central United Methodist Church                                               

2000-2001 & 2002-2012

Managed multiple teams to create a vital and people-centered organization of educational classes and events for adults, teens, children, and their families.

    Teacher, Group Facilitator, Mentor, Trainer

  • Researched and wrote curriculum for seminars, classes, and workshops
  • Designed and taught weekly classes on a variety of topics for adults and children
  • Designed and led retreats for adults
  • Designed promotional material, including monthly articles about upcoming events, ideas to help parents teach children at home, flyers, posters, and brochures
  • Individually mentored teens, adults, and children in leadership skills and goal achievement
  • Created an active environment for collaboration and buy-in
  • Researched, designed, and implemented training sessions for volunteer and paid staff (including skill training for teachers, classroom management, facility usage, and recognizing abuse)

   Team builder and creative problem solver

  • Created a highly collaborative educational environment
  • Recruited, trained, supervised, and worked side-by-side with more the 150 volunteers (children, teens, and adults) each year to build teams to lead programs, special events, and classes
  • Led multiple committees to oversee events, activities, and classes, ensuring a unified program
  • Hired, supervised, and trained staff members

   Organizational skills

  • Communicated with the public and served as the frontline face of the organization
  • Designed, taught, and supervised classes, events, and programs
  • Supervised the department budget, tracked expenditures, and purchased supplies using the organization’s purchase card
  • Managed facilities for a variety of classes, education events, and meetings

   Resource organizer and records maintenance

  • Built a system to keep track of past participants in classes and events.
  • Managed an extensive inventory of educational supplies

Relevant Education Administration and Staff Experience

Board of Education, Engagement and Events Coordinator        

2025-present

Work with elected officials, APS leadership, and Albuquerque community members to organize events, plan meetings, solve problems, and build relationships.

     Organizational Skills

  • Serve as liaison between the Albuquerque community, APS leadership, and elected members of the Board of Education
  • Guide for constituents as they navigate the educational bureaucracy
  • Work with multiple departments to coordinate meetings and special events for elected officials, APS staff, and community members, including the State of the District, budget workshops, a legislative open house, individual board member events, Spring engagement events, and a summer engagement event with NM United
  • Oversee the behind the scenes aspects of board meetings including public comment, zoom meeting security, and the occasional emergency situation 
  • Serve as liaison between the Albuquerque community, APS leadership, and elected members of the Board of Education, ensuring timely responses to questions and requests
  • Work with board members, staff, and the New Mexico School Boards Association to support special requests such as the yearly scholarship application for one APS student and the yearly Achievement award for an adult who has significantly contributed to student outcomes
  • Coordinate the event invitations for board members from schools and community members
  • Gather information and create a weekly newsletter for board members and APS leadership
  • Update the Board of Education webpage suite with current and historical information

   Team builder and creative problem solver

  • Recruit and train dozens of volunteers to work at special events
  • Researcher and ghostwriter for the Board Members and the Superintendent
  • Front line resource during events, conducting the many aspects of events to ensure a smooth experience for participants and presenters

Board of Education, Director of Board Services   

2024-2025

Oversaw a team that worked with elected officials, APS leadership, and Albuquerque community members to organize events, plan meetings, solve problems, and build relationships.

     Organizational Skills

  • Managed a board services team, the daily operations of the department, and the budget for the Board of Education
  • Created, implemented, and/or updated several important protocols, including:
    • Progress monitoring, with a focus on supporting the facilitator process
    • Self-evaluation and time use evaluation BOE facilitator process
    • Comprehensive agenda preparation, including calendaring, developing a due date chart, establishing a workflow approval process, and conducting training sessions
    • Effective communication and support for the BOE, including initiatives like Let’s Talk, At-A-Glance, school visits, Community School connections, and new protocols for interacting with board members, the chief of staff, and the superintendent
    • A streamlined Q&A submission process for progress monitoring and requests for information (RFI)
  • Oversaw the details of board meetings including working with various departments on agenda preparation, coordinating and writing scripts for board members, facilitating public comment, zoom meeting security, and the occasional emergency situation, all while following the New Mexico Open Meetings Act
  • Helped guide board members in following Robert’s Rules of Order
  • Served as a liaison with the New Mexico School Boards Association, attending all meetings and conferences and working to support special requests such as the yearly scholarship application for one APS student and the yearly Achievement award for an adult who has significantly contributed to student outcomes
  • Planned and hosted 14 board engagement events, including the State of the District, two budget workshops, a legislative open house, seven individual board member events, two Spring engagement events, and the summer engagement event with NM United
  • Coordinated the event invitations for board members from schools and community members
  • Gathered information and created a weekly newsletter for board members and APS leadership
  • Updated the Board of Education webpage suite with current and historical information

   Team builder and creative problem solver

  • Recruited and trained dozens of volunteers to work at special events
  • Served as a researcher and ghostwriter for the Board Members and the Superintendent
  • Served as liaison between the Albuquerque community, APS leadership, and elected members of the Board of Education, ensuring timely responses to questions and requests

Board of Education, Board Services Constituent Services Specialist at Albuquerque Public Schools         

2013-2024

Worked with elected officials, APS leadership, and Albuquerque community members to organize events, plan meetings, solve problems, and build relationships.

     Organizational Skills

  • Served as liaison between the Albuquerque community, APS leadership, and elected members of the Board of Education
  • Organized special events for elected officials, APS staff, and community members
  • Worked with board members, staff, and the New Mexico School Boards Association to support special requests such as the yearly scholarship application for one APS student and the yearly Achievement award for an adult who has significantly contributed to student outcomes
  • Updated the Board of Education webpage suite with current and historical information
  • Helped plan and implement a conference for more than 1000 participants from all over the United States.

   Team builder and creative problem solver

  • Recruited and trained dozens of volunteers to work at special events
  • Designed training and supervised interns
  • Served as one of the researchers and ghostwriters for the Board Members and the Superintendent
  • Researched the extraordinary accomplishments of students, staff, and community partners and planned Board of Education celebrations for each person or group

Academic Studies Information Coordinator at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary (G-ETS) Registrar’s Office (at Northwestern University)                                           

1998-1999

   Team Building and Interpersonal Skills

  • Worked in a team environment with a high degree of interaction with prospective and current students, faculty, staff, and administrators to coordinate special events such as convocation, registration, and orientation.

   Administrative Skills

  • Typing, data entry, utilizing learning management software (like Banner), securing office supplies, and using multi-line phones.

   Mentorship and advising Skills

  • Aided in monitoring each student’s academic journey, including the major projects related to each degree program and graduation. 
  • Worked individually with diverse students, including adult learners, Hispanic students, international students, and first-generation students.
  • Worked with confidential materials, including transcripts for prospective, current, and former students, while abiding by FERPA restrictions.

Student Affairs Admissions Representative at G-ETS (at Northwestern University)       

1995-1997

   Mentoring and team-building skills

  • Worked individually with diverse students, including adult learners, Hispanic students, international students, and first-generation students.
  • Interacted with students, staff, faculty, administrators, and student organizations in small team settings.
  • Worked with a team to develop a training event for volunteers who worked with prospective students

   Organizational skills

  • Made cold calls to prospective students
  • Recruited students for leadership in various activities
  • Developed and disseminated promotional materials for special events
  • Developed scripts for campus tours and tours of downtown Chicago

   Program coordination

  • Planned and coordinated special events such as a biannual prospective student inquiry/discernment (a 3-day campus visit) and an all-day, all-campus event that initiated the academic year annually. 

Other Work Experiences

Executive Director/Office Manager of Starfish Company, Inc.

1999 to 2002

Christy served as the initial Executive Director for this non-profit business by securing non-profit and incorporation status, creating a strategic plan and facilitating team building of the Board of Directors and Independent Contractors. As the primary ‘go to’ person, she made travel arrangements, wrote the curriculum, designed the handouts and helped lead retreats and workshops across the United States.  In addition, she attended various conventions and staffed information booths to promote the business. Christy monitored revenue and expenses and created promotional material. 

Co-Director/Teacher at Our Neighbor Kids (Immanuel Presbyterian Church)

2001 to 2002

Our Neighbor Kids was a multi-cultural, inter-religious, community building after-school program for elementary children.  A major focus of the program was to learn about traditional celebrations around the world.  As the co-director and one of the teachers Christy wrote and presented special programs and lessons. She also helped the student and staff use creativity and questioning skills to learn about different cultures. In addition, she facilitated teamwork within a staff of varying talents and abilities.

Computer Skills

Proficient in Windows and Mac operating systems and software, including Microsoft Office (Word, Outlook, Publisher, PowerPoint, Excel), Corel WordPerfect Suite, iWork (Pages, Keynote, and Numbers), Google Drive (Docs, Sheets, Slides, and Forms), Quicken, Blackboard Learn, Boardbook, Adobe Acrobat (including making documents accessible for screen readers), and the Internet (including Social Media sites such as Facebook), Library databases, Zotero, Lync, Skype, Zoom, Captivate, Haiku Deck, Blurb, Doodle, GroupMe, Lucid Chart, WordPress, Padlet, My Emma, and Jamboard. Familiar with most office machines: computers, copy machines, fax machines, and multi-line telephones.